BROCK McGILLIS, born on this date, is a Canadian, former ice hockey goaltender and LGBT+ advocate. He was among the first professional male hockey players to come out as gay. 

From 2001 to 2002, McGillis played in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. After playing for a season with the Kalamazoo Wings in the United Hockey League (UHL), he left North America to play in the Netherlands. From 2009 to 2010, he played at Concordia University in Montréal.

In November 2016, McGillis came out. He has been an activist for LGBT+ issues with regard to North American ice hockey.

McGillis has also contributed a chapter to Bob McKenzie’s book Everyday Hockey Heroes. He appeared in the book Proud To Play, featuring LGBTQ+ athletes in Canada. He graced the cover of and featured in the September/October 2018 issue of IN Magazine.

He has also appeared on Canadian television, including CBC News program The National, CTV’s Your Morning, ET Canada Pride, and the Global National newscast. He shared the stage with Richard Branson and Billy Porter at the 2019 New York City WorldPride. In January 2022, McGillis announced the launch of Alphabet Sports Collective, an organization to support LGBTQ+ people in hockey.